Evaluation

Information systems need to pass a variety of checkpoints in order to meet government requirements, industry standards and user expectations. The Institute's evaluation services focus on analyzing and evaluating the impact of systems from policy, organizational, and user perspectives.

The Institute works with established performance measures to assess outcomes, input, output, and the effectiveness in the access and use of information resources and services. In addition to general performance and impact evaluation, it also offers three specific types of evaluation that are especially important in information systems: usability, accessibility, and functionality.

• Usability analysis helps clients develop useful and usable information products and services. The Institute's Usability Center possesses a complete set of equipment and software to meet various evaluation needs from its clients. The Institute can assist clients in planning software enhancements, developing print and electronic documentation; and designing instructional programs for the use of information products and services.

• Accessibility analysis helps clients develop information services, resources, and products that meet the accessibility requirements as specified by the W3C and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.

• Functionality analysis helps clients assure that their information services, resources, and products meet specified operational expectations.